Atkins are well respected in their field, but with all due respect, road and rail are very different beasts to aviation. And the forecasts here were not just for commercial transport but to a large degree for GA.
Were Eurocontrol or NATS sufficiently consulted I wonder? AOPA, GAAC, business aviation operators etc?
Running up to the event, there were few indications of a massive influx of non-scheduled traffic. From what I understand from those involved in planning the arrival of VIP's, their movements - understandably - were arranged many months in advance. Any groups coming in on a charter would also need to be booked well ahead of time. As would media organisations operating TV footage etc. As for the athletes, the vast majority of these were carried by CAT.
So, who were these mysterious hordes meant to be descending on our fair isle? Billionaires and celebs wafting in on a whim in their BBJ's? Billionaires are increasing by the day in China, but there's not THAT many of them.
All seems strange.....
Last edited by betterfromabove; 22nd Aug 2012 at 17:11.